Experiences vary. I was on a Tokyo subway train (Chūō-Sōbu Line(Local)). For a couple of minutes after boarding it was so quiet that it was eerie. When I started hearing quiet noises I relaxed.
Anyway, mass transit does not have to be noisy. It varies by custom and culture.
More like kids watching movies without headphones, over loud conversations and screaming babies if other public transport is anything to go by.
But we can dream!